Cable connecter



G. C. THOMAS, JR Oct. 18, 1932., CABLE CONNECT .Re. 18,634

Original Fild sep' 15, 1928" avwemto'z GEORGE C. THO/M5 JI1 Reiuued Oct.18, 1932 UN ED-STATES PATENT orrlcaclone! 0. In, or :amzanmn, mew.masmr, assrenoa To run mom a aa'rrs ,co., or nmzana'rn. nnw JaasnY, acoaroaarron on NEW mass? oaann oo'nnao'ran 'Oflglnal No. 1,758,915, emuJanuary 80, 1881, Serlal'lo. 806,238, filed September 15, 1828.Application for reillue fled July 14, 1982. Serial No. 822,555.

This invention relates to connectors for use with electrical outlet boxassemblies and the like, and more particularl relates to cableconnectors for securing cab e to boxes used in connection with house andbuilding electrical wiring jobs and installations.

An object of the invention is to produce a novel cable connecter simplein structure and use and which will positlvely secure a cable toanoutlet box as well as simultaneously anchor itself to "the box byactuation of a sirlgle operatingmeans.

particular object of the invention is to produce improvements in cableclamping means forming a part of the connecter, the

clamping meansbeing actuated by an operating means to fix thecable inthe box; and in one form of the invention, the reaction force producedby the operating means simultaneously anchors the connecter in the boxknock-out. In a modified form of the invention, the operatin meansmerely'functions to actuate the ca. le clamp since there is provided aseparate and independent an chorage means to fix the connecter in thebox. Having the foregoing objects and others in view, the inventionrelates to improvements in construction and use as shown in the examplesof the invention portrayed in the accompanying drawing, wherein: I

Figure 1 shows a side elevation, Figure 2 a longitudinal section, andFigure 3 an inside and elevation of the cable connecter. Figure 4 shows,respectively a side and carried on screw operating means and engaging a.cable. These two viewsare in effect diagrammatic to show the applicationof the two-legged, U-shaped or yoke-like cable clamp to the cable.Particularly the side view shows in dotted lines the tilted backposition of the lower end of the clamp and illustrates how its prongedor barbed front end digs into the cable ,to more firmly grip itin eventa strain or pull is exerted on the cable in the direction of the arrowtending to end elevation of. a novel cable clamp loosely connecter andthe cable in finally anchored posltlon.

F1gure 6 is a plan view of the box assembly with the connecter and cableanchored.

being an outside end elevation thereof. This modified form of connecterdiffers from the main form only in the box-achorage means to fix theconnecter in the box, since in this modified form I employ an ordinarylock nut to anchor the connector in the box,whereas in the firstform-ofthe invention I employ a single operating means such as a screwto perform both functions of anchoring the connecter in the box andsecuring the cable in the box. 1

In house wiring installations, a box B is anchored to the building inthe usual way and a cable C containing electrical wiring is introducedthrough the box knock-out or hole H formed in the box. Electrical wireconnections are made with the wires W in the box for supplying currentto lighting fixtures, electrical appliances and the" like and thepresent invention more particularly relates to improved connecter meansfor fastening the cable C to the box B.

The connecter-consists of a casting or frame part made in any suitableshape such as a connecter member 12 which is here shown as a sleeve and.on which the movable parts are mounted. The sleeve 12 may assumevarious forms of construction which is apparent from an inspection ofthe two examples of the invention. Onety of connecter member is shown at12 in.F1gures 1 through 7, while another type of connecter member isshown at in Figures 8 and 9, The connecter member may be made with abushing 13 which acts as a stop against which rests the inner end of thecable as shown in Figure 5. The other end of the connecter member is cutaway at 14 thereby leaving an overhanging extended portion 15which'pr'oduces a connecter member having a short and long portion. Thecut away end or face 14 of the member afiords a flat abutmentend or edge14 which rests against the box walLwhen t connecter is installed. Inthis instance the connecter end portion 14 rests against the inside boxwall surface; The castin 12 includes a box hole edge seat 16 raise mayto advantage be formed on a radlus substantially equal to the radius ofthe box hole H so as to fit thereinto. 'The arcuate box hole ed e seat16 is eccentric to theaxis of the ca le C and hence is eccentric to theaxis of the sleeve 12. When the connecter is in place in box hole H, theseat 16 displaces the connecter 12 of! center of the axis of the boxhole This arrangement seats the cable C a ainstthe exposed portion of.the box hole e ge which is left uncovered by the cut-away formation 14of the connecter when it 1s mounted in the box hole.

The connecter sleeve 12 also includes box abutments or box anchoragemeans compris- 'ing ears 18 and 19. There are three ears shown and theyare adapted-to anchor the connecter in the box hole againstdlsplacement. Two of the anchorage ears, say 19, may be formed incircumferential alignment while the other car 18 is spaced from the ears19 a distance about equal to the thickness of the box wall B and in thisway the box wall rests on the seat .16 between the car 18 and ears 19.Hence the abutment or anchorage means 18-19 are disposed on the outsideand inside of the box wall and anchor the con necter againstlongitudinal displacement so long as the connecter seat 16 engages thebox hole edge.

The overhanging sleeve or member portlon 15 carries the eccentric boxhole edge seat 16 and abutment ears 18 and 19 above "or opposite thecut-away end edge 14 as shown. Furthermore the elongated or overhangingportion 15 includes a screw support lip 21 in which a threaded screwhole 22 is preferably made at an angle to the axis of the connectermember 12 and the box hole H. Operating mean such as a screw 23 ismounted in the threa ed hole 22 and the axis of the screw is directed at,an angle to the box wall B whereby the force delivered by the screw isin a direction toward the exposed box hole edge portion which isopposite the arcuate seat 16 and screw 23.

The'overhanging screw-carrying lip 21 is disposed between the outsidebox ears 19 and preferably has parallel sides. The parallel sides of thelip 21 in efiect define slots 10 between the ears 19 and the lip 21. Theslots 10 are directed along a plane parallel to the axis of thescrew 23'for slidable and guided reception of a clamp, and an improved cableclamp 24 ismade substantially U-shaped and includes parallel clamp legs24 and slidably straddles the lip 21. The parallel sides of v 1e,ea4 1on the member 12 and which the lip 21 form a guide on which the clampslides up and down in relationto the cable.

A free or unthreaded screw hole 17 is made in the top of the clamp forthe free reception of the screw 23 which slidably retains the clamp 24in lace. The cable clamp 24 has its lower en s formed at an angle to theaxis of the screw as indicated at 25 and the clamp legs are barbed orpointed at 26 on their front edges. The and edges 25 of the cable clampare disposed in separated relation but stand parallel to the cable 0 soas to bear against the cablewhen the clam is tightened in final fixedposition. The calile clamp 24 is loose on the screw 23, the screw hole17 being large and loose, so as to adjust itself and tilt to dig thebarb points 26 into the cable should an outward pulling force be exertedthereonas illustrated in Figure 4.

The clamp 24 being placed and guidedastride the screw carrying lip 21,moves up and down in guided relation in the grooves or slots 10 formedbetween each car 19 and the lip 21 when the slots or ooves 10 are used.The threaded shank o; the screw 23 is preferably shorter than theplate-like clamp legs 24 and this relation of the screw and the clamprevents the screw and from engaging the ca le and crushing it. In otherwords the edges 25 of the cable clamp first reach and grip the cable Cbetween said edges 25 and the exposed box hole edgeH and accom lishesthls urpose before the screw has reac edthe cab e. The screw ispreferably just long enough to be screwed well into or substantlallythrough the overhanging lip 21 at the time the cable clamp 24 hasreached firmly seated en agement against the cable C.

The parallel at clamp plates or legs 24 are disposed in substantiallyparallel planes which planes are also about parallel to the cable axisand the clamp legs are disposed at an angle to the cable axis so thatthe head 20 of the cable clamp ismounted outside the connecter and isengageable by the screw operat- I ing means 23to move the clamp downinto engagement with the cable. The cable is grip ed by the two spacedcable. The width of the plates and hence the length of the biting orgripping edges 25 is sufiicient to bridge over the convolutions of thecable and therefore a positive grip is secured on the cable. Furthermorethe plates 24 are stamped out of relatively thin against the inside andoutside box wall surlates 24 along para lel lines on each side 0 theaxis of the functions to grip the cable. The cable clamp points or barbs26 burr, squeeze or prick into the cable especially so if there is anytend;

ency for the cable to be pulled from the boxbecause a jerk or force onthe cable in the dircetionof the arrow, Figure 4, tilts r levers theclamp 24 rearwardly about the screw as a pivot thereby more deeplyembedding the clamp edges 25-26 into the cable. In buildingconstruction, it frequently happens that a cable is subjected to. ajerking force by reason ofa workman accidentally stepping on or droppingmaterial on a cable, but this connecter is found to tighten up when thathappens.

Another feature to be observed is that the clamp biting edges 2526overlie the cut away edge 14 and hence overlie the exposed box hole edgeportion left uncovered thereby. In other words the clamp ends or edgesextend through the box hole H from outside to inside the box and this isaccomplished by the angular setting of the yoke clamp in respect to thecable axis.

It is noteworthy that the clamp edges 25- 26, which are opposite theheaded end of the clamp, afi'ord two spaced parallel gripping edgeswhich bear on the cable to each side of the center thereof. In otherwords the two spaced gripping edges -26 bear on/each side of the axis ofthe cable as distinguished from hearing directly on the top or center ofthe cable which is common in the art'and which is more likely to crushthe cable than when hearing or gripping on the sides as characteristicin this invention. By delivering the gripping force to the side thecable very nearly tangent 'to the circle defining the cable, it followsthat there exists less danger of crushing the cable than when deliveringthe force centrally thereon; and by delivering the clamping force to twosides of the cable in a tangential manner it follows that one forceopposes the other and there exists no tendency to rotate the cablebecause the force of one gripping plate 24 opposes that of the other.These features afford advantages in the several ways explained.

The connecter is mounted in the box by a tilting action and by angularlyintroducing the connecter through the box hole until the inner ear 18has been inserted, whereupon the connecter is straightened up with theabutment end edge 14 resting against the box wall surface and with theconnecter seat 16 against the box hole edge. The mechanic may now .holdthe connecter with one hand while he introduces the cable 0 with theother, and thereafter tightens up the screw 23 and thus presses theclamp 24 against the cable to com plete the box assembly.

The foregoing description discloses a cableconnecter of a type whereinthe box hole edge H is partly exposed by the connecter when placed inthe box hole. This type of con-- necter drops out of place unless heldby ones hand until the cable C is inserted. To obviate this difliculty,a connecter support spring 27 may be attached to the shorter portion ofthe connectermember and the sprin 27 overhangs the end edge 14. Spring 2rests against the exposedbox hole edge portion and may to advantage hookaround the box wall as shown in Figure 5. This arrangement holds theconnecter 12 in place without the aid of the mechanics hand. The spring27 yields or bends upwardly so the connecter may be tilted and presseddownwardly until the ear 18 slips through thebox hole, whereupon thespring 27 reacts and snapsthe connecter seat 16 up against the box holeedge and holds the connecter in place thereby freeing ones hand'forother work. The advantage of the mentioned but not claimed.

In both forms of the invention,the head 20 of the cable clamp isadvantageously engaged by the head of the screw 23 which drives theparallel clamp plates 24 and their jaw plates and jaw-like edges 25against the cable surface, and the proximate surfaces of the screw headand the clamp head 20 are parallel and evenly engage each other.-Although the loose-fitting screw hole 17 allows the clamp jaw plates 24to wobble or'tilt on the screw, the flat screw head engages the clamphead 20 and straightens up the clamp plates 24 causing them to forcetheir jaw-like edges 25 along the surface of the cable, bridging overthe convolutions of the cable due to the reach or length of the jawedges.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figures 8 and 9 and diflersin structure from that heretofore described in that the box anchoragemeans is altered and a nut and screw anchorage means 32-33 is here usedinstead of abutments 18-19 on the exposed box hole edge type ofconnecter heretofore described.

The modified form of connecter comprises a sleeve 30 having a shoulder31 and a screw threaded neck 32- with a lock nut 33 which anchors theconnecter 30 in the box B. In

all other respects, a cable clamp 34 used on any force exerted on thecable tending to dislodge it from the box causes the front barbed spring27 is lot and pointed end of the two clamp legs 34. to dig into thecable armor and by a eyerage action the barbs increase their diggingineffort and thereby positively secures the cable in the box.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. In a cable connecter, a connecter member and means to anchor it in abox hole, a cable clamp and operating means therefor. carried with themember and comprising a. yoke having parallel clamp legs, the legs beingformed of fiat portions disposed angularly to the axis of a cable whichis adapted to be secured to the box hole, and the ends of the legsgripping the cable along lines on each side of and parallel to the axisof the cable.

2. In a cable connecter, a connecter member, and means to anchor it in abox hole,

said connecter member being formed with spaced grooves extendingparallel to the axis of the box hole, a U-shaped cable clamp slid ablymounted in the grooves and being provided with a hole for the freereception of a screw, and a screw turning freely in the hole of thecable clamp and being screw threaded into the connecter member.

3. In a cable connecter, a connecter member and means to anchor it ina-box hole, said connecter member being provided with two parallel slotstherein formed in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of themember, a fiat clamp plate slidably mounted in each slot and one end ofthe plates being adapted to engage a cable received into the connectermember and the box hole, and operating means carried on the member andengaging the other ends of the flat plates to force the plates againstthe cable.

' 4. In a cable connecter, a member and means to anchor it in a. boxhole and being adapted to secure a cable, a screw threaded into themember, said member being provided with cable clamp guide means adjacentthe screw, a U-shaped cable clamp mounted freely on the screw andslidably retained on the guide means and forced toward the cable.

by the screw, and the U shaped clamp including parallel legs which aremounted at an angle tp the longitudinal axis of the connecter member andengaging the cable in spaced relation on each side of the cable ax1s. Y

5. In a cable connecter, a connecter member and anchorage means carriedby the connecter member to fix the same in a box hole,

a U-shaped cable clamp including parallel plates joined together at oneend by a head p'late forming the closed end of the U-part and the otherends being free to grip a cable,

- means mounting the clamp slidably on the member at an angle to thecable axis with the plates disposed parallel to the axis of the cableand adapted to engage the cable along the latter a one engage the cable.

6. In'a cable connecter, a connecter meniber and anchorage means carriedby the connecter member to fix the latter in a box hole, a cable clampincluding a plate-like device,-

means upon the connecter member guiding the plate-like device in movablerelation thereto at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the member andin aplane parallel to the axis of the member, a gripping edge formed onone end of the device adapted to engage a 1 cable along a line parallelto the cable axis,- operating means mounted on the member and engagingthe device to force it against the cable, and a loose connection betweenthe operating meansand the device whereby the,

device and its gripping edge tilts about the loose connection to burrdeeper into the cable if the latter moves in a direction away from thebox.

- 7. In a cable connecter, a connecter 111cm- 7 her and means carried bythe connecter member to anchor the member in a box knock-out hole, aguide way formed on the-member to movably support a cable clamp, a cableclamp of 'U-shaped formation slidably mounted on the guide Way, thecable clamp being mounted at an angle to the longitudinal axis of themember, a head portion at one end of the U-shaped portion having a'hole. therethrough, the clamp having parallel end edges at its other endwhich are adapted to grip acable, and a screw threaded into the memberand passing freely through the hole, the hole being larger than thescrew to alford a free tilting motion of the clampon the screw and ofthe gripping edges when the cable is pulled 1n a direction away from thebox whereby the end edges of the clamp are forced deeper into the cable.

8. In a connecter, a member and means to anchor it in a box knock-outopening, a screw threaded into and directed-at an angle to l the axis ofthe member so that the inner screw end points toward the edge of the boxknock out opening, guide way means on each side of the screw, a U-shapedcable clamp having parallel plates joined by a head and a hole throughthe head, the parallel plates bein slidably mounted in the guide waymeans an the screw passing freely through the hole, the other end oftheplates having angular edges adapted to bear on a cable for clampingengagement therewith and the edges being pointed at one end, and theplates being adapted to tilt in case a pulling force 'is exerted on thecable whereby the pointed edges grip hard against the cable.

9.- In a connecter, a sleeve and anchorage clamp carried by the sleeveand astride the means carried b the sleeve to fix the latter in a boxhole, a ip formed on the sleeve and .a slot formed through the sleeveadjacent each side of the lip, a screw threaded into .the lip betweenthe slots, a U-shaped cable lip, the U-shaped clamp forming parallellates joined atone end by a head, a hole ormed through the head of theclamp through which the screw passes to retain the parallel plates ofthe clamp in the slots, :1 cable gripping edge upon the end of eachplate thereby forming two spaced edges which bear on the cable on eachside of the axis of the cable and along lines of contact whichareparallel to the cable axis.

' 10. In a connecter, a sleeve adapted to receive a cable and means tofix the connecter in a box knock-out hole, a screw threaded into thesleeve toward the cable buttoo short to reach the cable therein, a pairof s aced clamp plates joined at one end thereo by a head portionintegral with the lates and a hole in the head portion throug which thescrew is loosely inserted, guide way means formed in the sleeve tomovably receive the clamp plates and the lates being parallel to thescrew, and the ot er end of the clamp,

plates having spaced gripping edges whic bear on each side of the cablealong a line substantially parallel to the cable axis.

11. In a connecter, a member and anchorage means to fix it in a boxhole, a cable clamp, guide way means formed in the member to receive thesame, said clamp consisting of a head and jaw plate means having s acedcable gripping edges, a screw threade into the member and mountedthrough a loose fitting hole provided in the head between the jaw platemeans of the clamp, and the head of t e screw being adapted to enga ethe head of the clamp to force thespacecf cable gripping edges into thecable.

12. In a connecter for armored cable and the like, a tubular connectermember adapted to receive the member to be clam d therein, a clampcarried with the tubuizi' member comprising a yoke having spaced clamplegs the egs being formed of at portions and disposed so that the endsthereof enga the member to be clamped along lines on eac side of andspaced from the axis thereof, and

operating means carried by the connecter member and engaging the yoke toforce the yoke into the connecter member and to forcibly engage themember therein.

13. In a connecter for armored cable and the like, a connecter member toreceive the member to be clamped therein, a clamp carried with theconnecter member comprising parallel clam an en lon r than the spacedconvolutions of the mem r to be clamped, the legs being disposed so thatthe ends thereofengage the parallel clamp legs, e

. a yoke h spaced legs I the le being lormed of flat portions avingmember to be clamped along lines on each side of and parallel to theaxis thereof, and operating means carried by the connecter member andengaging the yoke to force the yoke into the connecter member toforcibly. engage the member therein.

14. In a connecter, a connecter member to receive a member to be clampedtherein, a clamp carried with the connecter member comprising a yokehaving parallel clam le the legs being formed of flat portions, t e atportions being disposed at an angle to the axis of the member to beclamped and so that the ends thereof engage the member along lines oneach side of and parallel to the axis thereof, and operatin meanscarried b the connecter member an engaging the yo e to force the yokeinto the connecter member to forcibly engage the member to he clampedtherein.

'15. In a connecter, a connecter member to receive a member to beclamped therein, spaced and parallel guide slots extending through awall of the connecter member, a clamp carried with the connecter membercomprising a yoke having arallel clamp legs extending throu h the guiing formed of Eat portions and disposed so that the ends thereof en agethe cable along lines on each side of and parallel to the axis of themember to be clamped, and operatin means carried by the connecter memberan engaging the yoke to force the parallel clamp legs into the connectermember to forcibly engage the member to be clamped therein.

16. A connecter comprising .a connecter member adaptedto receive amember to be clamped therein, spaced and parallel guide slots extendingthrough a wall of the connecter member, a clamp carried b the connectermember compnsing a yo e having the legs being forme of flat portions, tflat portions being disposed at an angle 'to the axis of the member tobe clamped and .so that the ends thereof engage the connecter memberalon lines on each side'of and parallel to the axle thereof, andoperating means carried by the connecter member and engagipg the yoke tomove the parallel clam legs into the connecter member e slots, the legsbeand to forcib y engage the member and clamp I it within the connectermember.

17. A connecter comprising a connecter sleeve, a clamp carried with thesleeve including a yoke having spaced clamp legs, the legs bein'g'formedof flat portions and disposed so that the ends thereof engage a memberadapted 'to be clamped along lines on each side of and spaced from theaxis thereof, and operating means carried by the connecter s eeve andengaging the yoke to force the latter into the connecter sleeve toforcibly e ge and clamp .the member therein.

testimon whereofI afix m si G ORGE C. THO

ature.

